Buying track timing systems

Flagpole,

Can you tell us more about the type of events are you timing?

I assume you are asking about some type of chip timing?

Indy Guy wrote:

Flagpole,

Can you tell us more about the type of events are you timing?

I assume you are asking about some type of chip timing?

We need to replace the system (basically a hand held system with 8 plungers for 8 lanes) for home dual/tri/quad meets, but we want something we could use for the big invitational we have each year too...so that we no longer have to hire the timing company. So, a system similar to what they use.

I went with the Eagle Eye Pro 100 for our high school. Finish Lynx is the big name brand and much more expensive. For approximately $7000 I received the same equipment basically as a $12000 Finish Lynx Silver Package. Eagle Eye doesn't seem to offer the same add ons/expansion as Lynx does, but I wasn't looking at being a big time pro timer. I just wanted to time little meets and local invitationals. The system has worked well for me. It's also easy to use so training someone else frees me up to help with other areas of the meet. Eagle Eye integrates with all kinds of result programs too.

timer of time wrote:

I went with the Eagle Eye Pro 100 for our high school. Finish Lynx is the big name brand and much more expensive. For approximately $7000 I received the same equipment basically as a $12000 Finish Lynx Silver Package. Eagle Eye doesn't seem to offer the same add ons/expansion as Lynx does, but I wasn't looking at being a big time pro timer. I just wanted to time little meets and local invitationals. The system has worked well for me. It's also easy to use so training someone else frees me up to help with other areas of the meet. Eagle Eye integrates with all kinds of result programs too.

You overpaid.

I know when I was pricing things a few years ago, Finish Lynx was offering a "Scholastic Package" for either 4k or maybe 5k. The FlashTiming system was a little cheaper (around 3k).

Sure, you can pay more to get a better system, but you can get an easy to use and accurate system for much less than 7k or 12k.

Looks like FinishLynx still offers the Scholastic Package ($5k):

http://www.everythingtrackandfield.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10152_10753_2004954_-1_2000389_2000388_2000388_ProductDisplayErrorView

Only thing you need in addition is a couple (2-3) laptops and the ability to network them.

FlashTiming's site:

http://flashtiming.com/products/pkgDeals/pkg%20Deals.html

(a little more expensive than I remembered at $4k for 60fps system, $5k for 120fps)

These are both easy to use. The hardest part is getting the set-up right (aligning the camera, networking 3 computers if your meet is big enough to warrant it).

I bought the scholastic package last year, along with Hy-Tek and the FinishLynx interface software. We use it on a single laptop and have timed a 30-team invitational. I'd say we have reached our limit at that level, but I have no complaints. Color camera would be helpful for sprint races, and we could probably reseed if we networked two laptops, but it's not been necessary. Total cost was about $5500 including a large set of hip numbers.

I am surprised someone hasn't figured out how to do race timing without a camera and expensive hardware systems.

I didn't overpay for the options included. These options aren't available in the scholastic package or on any of the flash timing packages. Like I said in my post, I got many of the Silver Package Finish Lynx ($12000) options much cheaper.